I just wanted to say on behalf of my mother, Sally Hicks and my father John Hicks and my brother Drew Hicks. We are not only blessed with such loving and caring friends. But, we are blessed to live in a community where you all have reached out and lifted us up through this very tough time in our lives. You know you never really think about something like this happening. From a Child looking at a Parent who has never been in the hospital in your entire life and has always been the strong “invisible” man that you have always looked up to. It has been very eye opening to see how in just a split second everything can change. Yes, my father is on the road to recovery as God watched over him and I am so grateful that everything went as planned. But, I am also so grateful that I was adopted by two of the kindest, loving and most unique people on the face of this earth and I just want to say thank you all for everything that you have done over these last days. Thank you so much! You will never know how much and how grateful we all are and if you ever need anything. Please do not hesitate to ask for, we have got your backs like you have had ours!! Remember we are all in this world together and as Jesus taught us. Love one Another! You all have done so in abundance and I am so thankful and blessed to have you all in my life and in our lives!!!

Much Love,

Dawson Hicks

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/06/21/thank-you-friends/feed/0johndawsonhicksA Letter about Healthcare from US House REP. K. Michael Conaway, CPA 11th District , Texas (R)https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/05/27/a-letter-about-healthcare-from-us-house-rep-k-michael-conaway-cpa-11th-district-texas-r/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/05/27/a-letter-about-healthcare-from-us-house-rep-k-michael-conaway-cpa-11th-district-texas-r/#respondSat, 27 May 2017 10:37:58 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3657Continue reading A Letter about Healthcare from US House REP. K. Michael Conaway, CPA 11th District , Texas (R)]]>Before I attach the letter that I got from his office. Please remember that a non-partisan congressional office has said that 13 million Americans would lose their healthcare under this plan passed by the House and now it is being looked over by the US senate. Click on the link below to see the letter I got in the mail from his office. Please feel free to comment!! #callyoursenator

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/05/27/a-letter-about-healthcare-from-us-house-rep-k-michael-conaway-cpa-11th-district-texas-r/feed/0johndawsonhicksMy Mary Kay Journey……https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/04/15/my-mary-kay-journey/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/04/15/my-mary-kay-journey/#respondSat, 15 Apr 2017 08:21:10 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3604Continue reading My Mary Kay Journey……]]>So, after one of my dearest friends told me today that a mutual friend from the Denton area began to ask her a lot of questions regarding my Mary Kay business and the photo she saw on Facebook. I decided to sit down and blog my journey and from the beginning so that all the questions will finally be answered. But, more importantly I finally have realized just how large of an impact this company has had on my entire life. I know that many people think that this company is just pink cars and women that sit around a table and have parties where they do the same things over and over and that the products are just for “older” women. You know, I was one of them……..So, as Sophia from Golden Girls would say……

Picture it……Dublin, Texas 2011

After being invited to a Mary Kay party and literally being not only frightened at the thought of what I might encounter. I walked into a room where the first thing I saw when I drove up to the meeting location which was at a small church in the middle of no-where. I nearly missed the turn after missing the Big Bucked Bambi and so the night was off to a great start. I drove up and there was the famous Pink Caddy. The first thing that I thought was…..Am, I being or acting in a rational manner. For, I thought what if I am the only person in the room wearing black. Was I suppose to wear pink? What if they don’t like me…..Then I remembered that I had attended the GOP Texas State Convention and although I was not seated as a Delegate because the County Chair for the GOP did not “hear” / or ignored me at our county convention which was in the smallest room I have ever sat in and so there was no way that she missed me. But, I get it. So, I was not a delegate , but I was the only one from Comanche County that even bothered to show up. So, I was basically alone. Yes, even the Delegates that did not even like me did not even bother to show up. But, regardless of me being the “Odd” duck. They actually tried to have me sat as a Delegate and I actually made friends. I was not shot at and I actually still have contacts that I keep up with. So, I figured if I can survive that this would be ok…

I walked in the door and the first thing I saw and I swear to the lord above was a tablecloth that had more sequins than any Cher Costume I have ever seen and this Blonde Woman wearing a Pink Boa and about 20 women which all stopped and every head turned when I walked in the room. You could have heard a pin drop. This was the moment where I was expecting someone to pepper spray me as, I looked like I was a dangerous person as I was just frozen in fear. But, after five seconds passed they just came at me all saying hi at the same time and I immediately remembered the Hanson concert where I managed to talk me and my best friend Mikaela in early. (Even, the staff was still getting prepped.) When they opened the doors. There was a herd of women running and screaming. Yes, the same fear came over me and I just smiled and since I have ADD I was having trouble focusing on a single person. I was distracted by all of the different sparkles that were on their outfits and their necklaces and before I knew it one of the women just grabbed me and hugged me and said, “Welcome”. But, her voice was not a forced welcome. It had the tone of a warm and kind person that sounded like she was seeing a friend she had known for decades.

I was at one of the lowest points of my life and when I she got her arms around me. I hugged her back. My anxiety left me and instantly I felt like I had been given a shot of some sort of anti anxiety medication because those who know me know that I do not hug people that I do not know. But, I hugged that woman back and said, “Thank You”. After giving more hugs than I did when I graduated college. I sat down in a metal chair and thought this will not be so bad. Until, the blonde woman pushed play on this CD player and the best of the 90’s pop began to blare from this small CD player and she started to clap and told all of us to rise to our feet. Then, after a few mins of a “dance” warmup. She turned on, “Pink Cad..By: Natalie Cole. Then, the “Consultants” began to dance with the chorus. I thought to myself, you know I do not dance, but this is kind of fun. It is not the normal thing that I am used to , but I felt like I was in a mixture of a Baptist Tent revival , an AA meeting and Legally Blonde……..But, I liked it. I thought Dawson, perhaps you should call your Psyc…..But, I just went along with it.

After the meeting. I got in my car and I had the biggest smile on my face. I did not even know that two and a half hours had passed by and as I drove home I made the decision that I was going to sign up.

The next day after my mom finished teaching school I called her and told her, “Mom, I am going to sign up for Mary Kay next week at the meeting.” without missing a beat she said, “You are insane.” I replied, “Mom I know skin care, and mom they teach you what to do and the products are good and you always told me that I could do whatever I put my mind to and you know mom. I just have this feeling. Something is telling me to do it.” She said, “Think about it Dawson. Who in this area is going to buy skin care from a man and especially you!! Think about it!! You are going to do what you want , but be realistic! ” I said, “I will think about it. ”

I hung up the phone and I thought about it and this voice inside of me was nagging me to call this woman named Bettie Hicks…..What do you have to lose. Just talk to her and ask her a few questions. So, I got home and picked up the phone and I called her and there was no answer. I didn’t leave a message. I called again and it rang and rang and rang and I finally left a message. ….

Now, you know that I can carry on a very lengthy conversation and when I have questions over a certain topic or am curious. I can ask a million questions and so the first interview Bettie was probably thinking, Oh dear lord. Where did this guy come from and my lord he can talk.

The next Tuesday, after the meeting I joined I gave Bettie my Debit card and I became a member of the Mary Kay Independent Sales force (November 2011)

So, as the months seemed to fly by I suddenly realized that this was going to be work. More work that I had imagined. I went to my meetings every Tuedsay , but in my area there were like 20 plus consultants in just my town of 4,000 people. Which, I have realized and I did then also that yes we all have different networks. But, if one or two consultants do not know how to properly assist a customer in applying the right shade of color cosmetics or if they do not know how to properly explain proper skin care which I was fortunate to attend and yes I did not finish, with that being said the only thing that I missed was the classroom and hands on education on how to properly wax eyebrows. But, I got the skin care education from the Aveda Institute. So, I knew the way the skin worked the layers of the skin and what it needed and how to prevent the signs of aging and how to reverse the signs of aging. As, the years passed the Mary Kay consultants in my area slowly dropped like flies and then one quarter I got a call from Bettie and she was excited!! I had not been able to attend a local meeting as there were none anymore and I was the lone fish and the market was mine. Well, I had sold enough product to achieve star consultant status. This was in 2016. I was in shock and I was also very proud of my long overdue accomplishment. But, I had taken a different approach. I began to travel with my best friend and when I would travel or anytime I went any place. I took samples along with me. So, say I was in Vegas for my birthday I would hand out samples on the plane with my sticker that had my information on it to any girl I saw crying late at night in the casino and I would also include a lip gloss and tell her the mascara is waterproof and I would give her my card and tell her that if she ever needs anything to call. Well, then I went to: New Mexico, Chicago, Manhattan, Disneyworld, Vegas two more times and Charleston and Savannah. Well, before I knew it I had reached November of 2017 and my fifth anniversary as a Beauty Consultant and I also in 2016 was the number one sales consultant in my unit. But, I had began to go to meetings again. You see my director Bettie Hicks, lives in Fort Worth and that is like a two hour drive for me. But, to get to the place where she has meetings with the construction is the same as being the mouse in maze looking for the cheese. So, I was adopted by: Sales Director Jenny I. and I did not know at the time , but she was a blessing sent from heaven. As, we entered 2017 I was in a dark place and December and January was not a great time for me. I went through a bad personal issue and I had no desire to sell anymore or do anything for that matter. I had been in grad school for over a year and that is all I wanted to do. But, one night. It was like two in the morning and I had woken up and just grabbed my phone and for some reason Jenny was on FBook Messenger. So, I sent her a message and she asked how I was and I just unloaded. I just explained and had an emotional release. Jenny, in a matter of ten minutes not only restored my self esteem. She, lit a fire under my ass and reminded my why I joined the Company in the first place. She said, “I will go ahead and RSVP you and I will see you on Tuesday.” She did not give me a choice, she in her sweet voice just basically said, (not in these words) Get your ass to my house on Tuesday I will not take no for an answer. But, you have to know Jenny. I have never known any pregnant woman that always has a positive thing to say about everything in life. Not just when she is pregnant , but all of the time and it is not forced. Even when she is frustrated Mary Poppins shows more anger than Jenny. I just love it. I do not understand it, but love it and she remains such a strong and powerful role model for me because her and her husband are the definition of the word and by their choices, lifestyles and actions, words and deeds they are what it means to be: “Christian”. I will never forget her husband Clayton the first meeting he was so friendly he walked up and introduced himself and asked, “Would you like a bottled water?” Why yes, that would be wonderful thank you, Then he asked, “Is bottled ok?” I was like that is perfect, or tap I do not mind, Then he followed up with, “Would you like it in ice, room temp. or would you like it in the bottle and just chilled.” I said, ” Chilled is fine.” I turned to Jenny and I asked, “Is this because I am new?” “He does not have to do any of this I can do it myself.” “He is so kind!” Jenny laughed and said, “He is always like that and he is a great husband.” I thought to myself, ”

So, the first meeting back fresh out of a breakup and it was none other than spouses night……

I told myself I can do this….I was handed a sheet of paper and two of the questions were something to the effect of:

1.) What would you do or how could you improve your current relationship?

2. ) How do you show love to your spouse in everyday life?

I thought to myself I can do this and this is good for me.

Well, we then go into the other room with the husbands and there I am the fresh broken up single gay man with a room full of women and their husbands.

Well, we then were instructed to read our answers out loud.

We went question by, question and when we got to the big two ….Jenny was like. “You do not have to answer.” I said, no I am going to participate.

I said something like, how would I improve my current relationship> I said, something like. Since I am freshly broken up with someone that I thought I was in love with , but as in life we are blinded by things and we make errors in judgement. But, I am in a relationship with myself right now and I need to rebuild myself and boost myself up and I need to do that by listening to those who are around me and see something that I do not see right now and I need to just shake it off and move on. Because, no man or woman on the face of this earth. Should ever get to me the way that this last person did and I have learned a lesson and that is that sometimes it is ok to do what is best for you and that is what I am doing.

When it came to how can I show love to my spouse everyday.

My answer was, “Since I do not have a spouse I am going to relate this to people in my everyday life, but a quote from the Wizard of Oz sums this up in my opinion best when asked about showing love from the heart. The wizard told the Tin Man when he gave him a heart that “A measure of a man’s heart is not by how much he is loved , but how much he is loved by others.”

February came and career conference was coming up and that meant that the deadline or cut off date for being, “On Target” for the Court of Sales. I worked harder that I have ever worked in my life and when I attended Career Conference in San Marcos. I walked that stage, on target. I met so many friends , but as I was going to the stage in that line I looked around the room and noticed that I was being stared at. Not, just started at there were literally women around the room whos eyes were becoming wide and their jaws were dropping. I began to get this fear over me as I got closer I was about to lose it and then a local NSD Roxanne was at the base of the stairs. She, gave me a hug and told me how proud she was of me and the fear left me. When I was cued to walk up those stairs and walk towards the NSD handing us our gifts at center stage lit up by the stage lights she had a look on her face and she then smiled and said congratulations. Now, after she said that she said is someone taking your photo and I said I think she is over there and the next thing I know I see Jenny right in front waving and the NSD gave me a little shove and there were women and I looked at Jenny and the room clapped and cheered and I waved at Jenny and a tear ran down my cheek and I nodded and smiled and walked off stage and I was about to lose it and then all of these Consultants began to ask me all of these questions and then one of them said, you must meet the only other guy I do believe is here. I then was shoved towards this guy and introduced myself and I spoke with him for a few minutes and then returned to my seat and I told Jenny thank you and grabbed my phone and excused myself and I needed a breather and went to the mens’s room where I knew was the only place that I could be alone for just a second to gather myself.

I have never in my life felt such love and such honest pride in something that I have accomplished and now as I work to finish my goals I am ready after two weeks of putting together a plan. Just like the Allied forces planned D-Day I am going to finish strong and I made so many friend in San Marcos and now I am planning some event with the other Male consultant and I am calling us: “The Men of Mary Kay.” So, that is the story up to date and now it is time to finish strong…..If you are in Colorado I will be planning an event and workshop and I will be posting dates. Please message me if you are interested as space will be limited.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with me……Please call: 254-979-5719 it does not matter what part of the US you live in!! Just call if you want to or have a question as I do not mind.

Now, onward to Seminar!!!

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/04/15/my-mary-kay-journey/feed/017425976_10100348373963160_6098964798076255979_njohndawsonhicksHouse Bill 610- “The beginning of the end of public education??”https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/02/27/house-bill-610-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-public-education/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/02/27/house-bill-610-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-public-education/#respondMon, 27 Feb 2017 05:11:37 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3581Continue reading House Bill 610- “The beginning of the end of public education??”]]>Friends,

I know that I have not posted in a while as I have been really busy with several projects and school work etc. But, the bill that has been introduced by two Republican members of Congress or, House Bill 610 in my opinion is the beginning of the end of public education. Now, I would like each member of Congress to know that in my personal opinion any elected official in Congress who has the idea that somehow beginning to defund public schools and not allowing each and every child in our country have an equal and fair chance at a good public education should not be re-elected. For, this issue is greater than any issue that is Democratic or Republican. This issue is about the Children of our great nation and their ability and opportunity to receive a good education regardless of where they live or if they are rich or poor. For, I have many family members that have taught or are currently teaching in the public school system and it is very discouraging that the leaders of our great nation have now in front of them not only the opportunity to keep the future leaders and minds of our country from their chance to get a quality public education. But, all we ever hear from the Republican party is how moral they are and Ted Cruz is a prime example of how he waves the fact that his father is a minister around like it is a battle flag when in fact I do not feel that God appreciates Senator Cruz using his father’s calling to be a man of God as a way to win votes. For, how christian like is it to not answer your phone when public school teacher in Texas call your office and then when they appear at your office to speak to you. The people who put you in office Senator Cruz what do you do? Do you act in a Christian like manner?? I guess if you consider having the teachers escorted off of your property and away from your office Christian like then I guess you are living and walking in the light like you claim. But, I beg to differ. I do believe that Jesus would have listened to their concerns and would of had a little more respect for the people who elected him to public office. Did you forget that Senator Cruz? Did you think that perhaps the teacher vote just might be your downfall or have you already grown such a big head that you feel that just because you are a Republican you will automatically be re-elected. Well, Senator I really do not care your political affiliation because when you disrespected those public school teachers. You insulted their families and all of the other teachers in Texas who work tirelessly for hardly any pay to try and educate the children of Texas with less and less resources every year. Shame on you!! I urge everyone that sees this blog to read the information below and call as many people in Washington as you can. It is time that Democrats and Republicans take back our government It is time to put party politics aside and fix these issues and the only way to do that is to clean house!!! Because their actions have not shown us that they even care about the ordinary people who trusted their judgement when they were elected. It is time to take action and stand united and stand up for our children. For, we know that the Education Secretary has about as much experience as I do at Bull Riding so, if we do not take back our Government and show how we feel and let our voices be heard. Nothing will ever be done!! That is why I am announcing that I will be organizing a day of action on behalf of the Public School Teachers of Texas in the next few months. Please if you would like to help feel free to contact me for it is time that we take it to every capitol building and show our elected officials on the state and local level that we will not stand of this anymore and they can either vote in a manner that represents the will of the people. Or, they will no longer have a job!! Please join me!!!! It is time!!! You can reach me at: jdawsonhicks@gmail.com. I will respond as fast as I can as I get a lot of emails a day. But, I will respond!! I am with you and I hope you will join the cause!!! But, we must do this together as Americans. Putting party politics aside!! Read the information below!! Thanks, Dawson

House Bill 610 makes some large changes. Inform yourselves.
This bill will effectively start the school voucher system to be used by children ages 5-17, and starts the defunding process of public schools.
In addition the bill will eliminate the Elementary and Education Act of 1965, which is the nation’s educational law and provides equal opportunity in education.
It would repeal ESSA (Every Students Succeeds Act):
ESSA is a big comprehensive program that covers programs for struggling learners, AP classes, ESL classes, classes for minorities such as Native Americans, Rural Education, Education for the Homeless, School Safety (Gun-Free schools), Monitoring and Compliance and Federal Accountability Programs.
The Bill also abolishes the Nutritional Act of 2012 (No Hungry Kids Act) which provides nutritional standards in school breakfast and lunch.
The bill has no wording whatsoever protecting Special Needs kids, no mention of IDEA and FAPE.
Some things ESSA does for Children with Disabilities
-Ensures access to the general education curriculum.
-Ensures access to accommodations on assessments.
-Ensures concepts of Universal Design for Learning
-Includes provisions that require local education agencies to provide evidence-based interventions in schools with consistently underperforming subgroups.
-Requires states in Title I plans to address how they will improve conditions for learning including reducing incidents of bullying and harassment in schools, overuse of discipline practices and reduce the use of aversive behavioral interventions (such as restraints and seclusion).
Please call your representative and ask him/her to vote NO on House Bill 610 (HR 610) introduced by three Republican reps.

Today is the day that we see the transition of power from a former President to the newly elected Donald J. Trump as he will be sworn into the highest office in the land and officially become President of the United States. Now, I did not support Trump. I was a Hillary Clinton supporter. I was a Delegate for Hillary in Texas. I volunteered for her campaign. I was a Hillraiser and I also did other things to try and get a person who I know still will fight for me in the White House. But, as we have seen our country is divided. That is why I am writing this note. Recently, I have gone through some tough setbacks in my private life. After Hillary lost the election I got mad at the Democratic Party and the leaders at the State level. I blamed others for the loss of a candidate that I supported. As, time when on and more weight fell off of my body I saw friends who were passionate about the cause continue to protest as it was peaceful and they were just expressing who they are and what they believe. But, it was the violent protests that upset me because I did not spend over a year and a half fighting hard for someone who didn’t even vote to destroy property, danger lives and then have the gaul to carry a Clinton/Kane Sign. So, I disconnected for a while and prayed and asked God to allow me to find peace because I am Hispanic and LGBT and I am the one of three Democrats in my family that I know of and I know how some not all , but some of the Republicans feel about certain minority groups and my friends around the state became fearful for my safety. But, I woke up one day and realized that regardless if I voted for Hillary and my neighbor voted for Trump. Hillary won the popular vote , but our system is set up with the electoral college so Trump won enough delegates to win the election. Hard pill to swallow since Hillary had around three million more votes cast in her favor. Three million more people trusted her over Trump , yet he still calls it a movement. That is in the eye of the beholder. But, I realized that if I did not try and work with my friends and other people that are elected Republicans. I am never going to make a difference and on top of that I am a strong christian and I do not feel that Americans should be attacking other Americans. I know that Trump is not perfect. Hillary was not perfect either. Now, that we have established that not just they are not perfect, lets remember that no one in history except for or, at least the way I believe Jesus Christ was perfect. So basically one person who has ever walked this earth has been perfect. So, lets keep that in mind and Democrats. Let’s try please to act with a little more respect for the other side and quit acting so hateful towards your fellow countrymen. Republicans you are just as much to blame. The election is over. It is time to move on and unite our country and Texas. Now, there is an issue that needs to be worked on in Texas and I have been thinking about this for a few weeks and so I am officially announcing that I am going to begin a bi-partisan group on Facebook. The first issue that I want us to work on is public education. I have some groups that some friends who are in politics have told me would help and help us. But, on this commission which I have not named yet. I want three Republicans and Three Democrats. Now, anyone is welcome to let me know if they are interested and you can live in any state across the US. But, the one stipulation is that you must not be a current serving public official on either side of the aisle or work for anyone who is an elected official. I know what I am looking for and I know what we need to do and what needs to be done so if you are willing to work and are passionate please like the page or send me a message and just include your education level, age, reason for wanting to join and your party affiliation. Also, include any past volunteer work that you might have done. This is not a paid position and there are only six positions open. But, I promise you that if you decide you want to get involved. Once you learn everything I have planned. Your will be excited if you are a political junkie like me. But, we will work together and everything discussed will remain a secret until we are completed and ready to take action that will be effective and make a difference. So if anyone is up for the challenge let me know. I will take names until the end of February. You can also email me at: jdawsonhicks@gmail.com please leave contact information as if I call you. Your in!! Let’s make a difference!!

God Bless,

Dawson Hicks

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2017/01/20/inauguration-daysix-activist-wanted/feed/0johndawsonhicksClinton Campaign Joins Recount….Trump Calls it a “Scam.” Original Article by: Eugene Scott (CNN)https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/26/clinton-campaign-joins-recount-trump-calls-it-a-scam-original-article-by-eugene-scott-cnn/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/26/clinton-campaign-joins-recount-trump-calls-it-a-scam-original-article-by-eugene-scott-cnn/#respondSat, 26 Nov 2016 22:02:17 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3565Continue reading Clinton Campaign Joins Recount….Trump Calls it a “Scam.” Original Article by: Eugene Scott (CNN)]]> Washington (CNN)Hillary Clinton’s campaign said Saturday it will take part in efforts to push for recounts in several key states, joining with Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who has raised millions of dollars to have votes counted again in Wisconsin.

But, in a post on Medium, Marc Elias, the campaign’s counsel, said the campaign’s own investigation has not uncovered any evidence of hacking of voting systems.
In the campaign’s most detailed comments to date on the recount, Elias wrote that while the campaign was not going to contest the results itself, it has decided now to take part in the effort to “ensure that it is fair to all sides.”
But President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday dismissed the recount and said that “the election is over.”
“The people have spoken and the election is over, and as Hillary Clinton herself said on election night, in addition to her conceding by congratulating me, ‘We must accept this result and look to the future,'” Trump said in a statement, which called the recount “ridiculous” in a headline.
The President-elect blasted the Green Party’s effort as a “scam” and accused the party’s nominee, Jill Stein, of trying to reel in donations that she won’t actually spend on a recount.
“This recount is just a way for Jill Stein, who received less than one percent of the vote overall and wasn’t even on the ballot in many states, to fill her coffers with money, most of which she will never even spend on this ridiculous recount,” Trump said. “This is a scam by the Green Party for an election that has already been conceded, and the results of this election should be respected instead of being challenged and abused, which is exactly what Jill Stein is doing.”
Stein dismissed Trump’s suggestion that the funds wouldn’t be spent on the recount.
“For his information, this is all going into a dedicated and segregated account so that it can only be spent on the recount,” she told CNN’s Pamela Brown on “Newsroom.”
“He may be creating his own facts here as he’s been known to do some times in the past,” Stein added. “He himself said it was rigged election unless he won it.”Green Party officials filed Friday for a recount in Wisconsin after reports of voting discrepancies.
Wisconsin Green Party co-chairman George Martin said that the party was seeking a “reconciliation of paper records” — a request that would go one step further than a simple recount, which is expected to begin next week, and that he hopes will spur an investigation into the integrity of the state’s voting system.
“This is a process, a first step to examine whether our electoral democracy is working,” Martin said.
Stein tweeted Saturday that she’s willing to expand the recount to other states.”I will do a recount in any state where the deadline has not passed. Help my staff find state deadlines … #Recount2016,” she said.

Source:

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/26/clinton-campaign-joins-recount-trump-calls-it-a-scam-original-article-by-eugene-scott-cnn/feed/0johndawsonhicksThe Blue Wall Has Fallen….https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen-2/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen-2/#respondFri, 25 Nov 2016 05:34:19 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3563]]>Well, after this election cycle has finished and yes, there is a possible recount if it is already not underway in the battleground states to ensure that Hillary Clinton who’s popular vote le…

]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen-2/feed/0johndawsonhicksThe Blue Wall Has Fallen….https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen/#respondFri, 25 Nov 2016 05:28:31 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3554Continue reading The Blue Wall Has Fallen….]]>Well, after this election cycle has finished and yes, there is a possible recount if it is already not underway in the battleground states to ensure that Hillary Clinton who’s popular vote lead has widened quite a bit. But, from everything that I have read the third party woman on the ticket Jill Stein is the one who has raised the money to have the ballots counted in the battleground states and I have heard not a word from the Clinton Campaign. Although, data experts have urged the campaign to ask for a recount. To this day I have not heard of one from the Clinton Campaign. So, after it is all said and done we more than likely will have to finally accept Donald Trump as being our next President of the United States. With that being said, the Electoral College could switch their vote and if your speaking constitutionally we have not actually elected our President. (Thank You Alexander Hamilton) We are not a direct Democracy. But, this was put in place to protect the office of the president from anyone who is unfit to hold the office. I do not know what will happen. Either way someone is going to get pissed again. But, Democrats now lets talk this out. First, yes we had a strong candidate. Yes, we made history! But, we were also out of touch with the American people and as Hillary herself said, We did not know how truly divided our country is. Democrats, it is time that we throw away the tissues and finally toughen our stance on a few issues. For example, a mother who is not working a full time job and has no intention of working ever in her life and is single. She can afford a new car because she gets 7,000.00 back on her Tax Return because she has 4 kids. Now, tell me how in the hell does it make sense for a person who has never paid into the system to get any money in the form of a tax return given to them because they have children. I know Children are a full time job. But, my mom was a full time public school teacher and my father owned his own business and they both slaved at least 60 hours a week so that I could grow up into a family that adopted me and accepted me. Now, before you think I am some white person from Texas. I happen to be an adopted Hispanic and a member of the LGBT community (50 percent Aztec 49 percent Spanish and 1 percent Italian) (I did the DNA Test you see advertised on television.) Anyway, so before you get all jumpy I know how it feels to be the odd man in the group. But, seriously Democrats. We will never fix the national deficit if we keep giving money away in the form of a tax return to mothers who do not work , but just have children. That is a no-brainer. Also, if you are on welfare and I do not qualify I make too much money. But, if you are then you should be drug tested and you should also not just be able to sit on your ass and do nothing while the rest of us slave away trying to pay all of our bills. If your working and trying and meeting us half way that I do not mind helping. But, if your just converting oxygen to carbon dioxide in your living room while smoking your meth pipe. Well, I have got news for you. You should be drug tested if you are on any kind of government aid and this aid should not be able to be used to buy Cigarettes, Alcohol or any illicit substances. You should be able to buy the necessities like bread, cheese etc. Democrats, we are out of touch. You want to include everyone in the party , but your are leaving out half of the country that works by giving so much away. We are dead broke as a country. Yes, I think that Hillary Clinton would have made some differences. I still believe in her. But, we as a party need to reorganize at the State Level. We need to examine each elected official in the state party and see if they are willing to make the changes necessary to reach out to Republicans and take the initiative to listen to their points of view as well and find middle ground. Yes, it can be done I worked as a Field Director for a Republican Campaign as my Candidate ran for the House of Representatives against a long time sitting Rep… No names will be mentioned , but when we forced the other two on the ballot into a runoff I sat down with the sitting Rep. we have had our differences , but like two mature adults we managed to see eye to eye and work for the greater good for at the end of the day that is what we both wanted anyway. We were both fighting for a better Texas and I have the upmost respect for him. He did lose his election , but went on to win a Statewide Elected Position and is now in Austin doing a great job. We need to be able to talk to the other side without yelling, shouting, screaming, throwing a fit, threatening to kill another person etc. But, Democrats this is our moment. This is our wakeup call to take a closer look at our platforms and beliefs and I am not suggesting leaving anyone behind or keep anyone out of the party. We must find common ground and unite our country. To those of you who protested. Shame on you for carrying a Clinton/Kaine sign for it was not a sign that was created to re-enact the French Revolution or Bloody Sunday in Russia. It was a sign that was created for people like me who saw not only the chance to make history. But, a chance to possibly have a candidate in office that I felt was for me and would fight for me. But, we again missed the mark because we are not practical in a lot of our beliefs and we try and please everyone and Democrats you can not do that. We need to reform our beliefs on a lot of the things that we say are core Democratic values. We do not need to give these beliefs up. We just need to modernize them where more people can relate. Because I can tell you that Joe Brown who works 60 hours a week at a factory is not going to vote for a person that believes in giving away money to another person who is not contributing to society. I do not care if they pick flowers on the side of the road or pick up trash as long as a person is contributing positively to our American Society. Then, I would see it more rational to give them a handout or help them , but they need to work. There are a lot of other issues that we need to modernize , but the bottom line of this entire rant is that we need to look at the State Level of our Party and weed out those who have been in office too long or are holding on to ideas that are not modern. Some of these people are afraid of losing their power. Well, to those people. You say your a leader of our party , yet we just lost the White House. I say we pull a Donald Trump and say, “Your Fired”. So, now is the time to reform, rethink and refocus because we can do this. We will recover. But, it is time to clean house and we need to start at the state level and work our way up!!! Remember, Hillary never gave up on us. We do not need to give up on our party, passions or beliefs. But, we do need to bring them up to date. Now, let’s get to work because it is going to be an uphill battle!!!]]>https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/11/25/the-blue-wall-has-fallen/feed/0johndawsonhicksBilly Bush Suspended from the: “Today Show” after remarks on Trump Tape (Repost from Brian Stelter)https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/10/10/billy-bush-suspended-from-the-today-show-after-remarks-on-trump-tape-repost-from-brian-stelter/
https://dawsonhicks.com/2016/10/10/billy-bush-suspended-from-the-today-show-after-remarks-on-trump-tape-repost-from-brian-stelter/#respondMon, 10 Oct 2016 03:23:32 +0000http://dawsonhicks.com/?p=3503Continue reading Billy Bush Suspended from the: “Today Show” after remarks on Trump Tape (Repost from Brian Stelter)]]>by Brian Stelter@brianstelterOctober 9, 2016: 8:15 PM ET

Billy Bush has been suspended from the “Today” show “pending further review of the matter,” NBC News said Sunday night.

It is unclear if he will ever return to the broadcast.

“He will never be on the show again,” an on-air source said, reflecting what staffers are saying behind the scenes.

The sudden change came amid a chorus of calls for disciplinary action against Bush over his vulgar 2005 conversation with Donald Trump that was caught on tape and revealed on Friday.

NBC sources initially said Bush was not being disciplined and that he would be in his usual spot as co-host of the “Today” show’s 9 a.m. hour on Monday morning.

As late as Sunday morning, one of the sources was saying that Bush would use Monday’s broadcast to reiterate the apology he made Friday.

But on Sunday afternoon, senior NBC executives made the decision to bench Bush on Monday, effectively reprimanding him.

A couple of hours later, the executive in charge of “Today,” Noah Oppenheim, said in an internal memo that the executives had decided to go even further and suspend Bush.

“I know we’ve all been deeply troubled by the revelations of the past 48 hours,” Oppenheim wrote.

“Let me be clear — there is simply no excuse for Billy’s language and behavior on that tape,” he wrote. “NBC has decided to suspend Billy, pending further review of this matter.”

Before the memo was released, the on-air source said staffers were in the dark, stuck refreshing Twitter to find out what was going on with Bush.

The suspension was a stunning turn of events. The “Today” show recently made a multi-million-dollar bet on Bush, relocating him from Los Angeles to New York and making him a co-host.

But the taped 2005 conversation between Bush and Trump has upended the careers of both men.

Trump’s vulgar and aggressive comments about women, alluding to sexual assault, caused some Republican leaders to retract their endorsements of him.

Bush played along and joked with Trump, even while Trump talked about trying to sleep with one of Bush’s colleagues.

At the time the video was recorded, Bush was a co-host of NBC’s entertainment show “Access Hollywood.” Now he is a key player on the “Today” show, the profit engine of NBC News. Until Friday, some observers believed he was being groomed to take over for Matt Lauer someday.

Bush is a cousin of both former President George W. Bush and 2016 Trump opponent Jeb Bush.

Bush issued a forthright apology statement on Friday, but it did not quiet the calls for action by NBC. There was an online petition circulating that calls for his firing, and there are hundreds of outraged comments on the “Today” show’s social media pages.

On top of that, as Anthony Quintano — who formerly ran the “Today” show’s social media efforts — pointed out on Friday, “a majority of the ‘Today’ show production staff is female.” It “won’t go over well internally to keep Billy Bush around,” Quintano said in a tweet.

Bush’s 9 a.m. hour is heavy with lifestyle fare, with less political news than the earlier hours. Still, it is a product of NBC News, so the news division has ethical considerations to make about Bush’s role in the tape — and in ongoing coverage of the election.

Decisions about releasing the “Access Hollywood” tape reached to the highest level of NBCUniversal, to the office of CEO Steve Burke, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

An NBC source confirmed Burke’s involvement and reiterated that the network was preparing to broadcast a report about the tape when it was leaked to the Washington Post on Friday.

Adding a slightly bizarre element to the story, the New York Times reported Sunday that the outgoing voicemail message on Bush’s extension at NBC says, “You’ve reached Billy Bush’s office, he’s busy making America great again, please leave a message.” The voice is apparently not his.

A fraud investigation by 20 State Attorneys General uncovered that National American University (under the leadership of Buckingham’s family) was one of several for-profit universities using a deceptive website “GIBill.com” that was preying upon veterans and their GI Bill education money. The website’s operators were fined, the website shut down, and the website’s name turned over the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

In 2012, the United States Senate also released the results of a two-year investigation of the predatory for-profit university industry. The investigation targeted National American University and 14 other for-profit schools for putting corporate profit ahead of student education and leaving veterans and other students with massive debt in unpaid college loans for degrees. The report noted that NAU and these other for-profit schools were charging substantially more for college degrees than similar educational costs at state universities or community colleges. The investigation specifically exposed the deceptive and predatory marketing practices that NAU was using to recruit veterans and other students.

The 2012 United States Senate for-profit university investigation also brought to light that Buckingham’s father-in-law (who is also now the largest contributor in her 2016 State Senate bid) paid himself as Chairman of NAU over $3 million dollars in 2010 for managing a university with just 8,000 students. Comparatively, this salary is more than the collective salaries of the Chancellors of the UT system, Texas A&M system and Texas Tech system which have collectively over 400,000 students.

As a financially compensated stockholder, Dawn Buckingham began her service on the Board of Governors of NAU as it aggressively marketed for veterans and economically disadvantaged students in Texas (ie, students eligible for federal education funding).

Buckingham is appointed by Lt Governor David Dewhurst to the Texas Sunset Commission that was tasked with consideration of reforms to the Texas Workforce Commission to protect veterans and other students from abusive profiteering by the for-profit career businesses in Texas. At a December 2014 hearing, Buckingham twice lobbied the Commission as a sitting member to weaken accountability reforms on the for-profit career industry.

The Veterans Education Success organization released a national study showing how for-profit universities were taking advantage of veterans and other students with expensive and bogus college degrees that did not qualify them for jobs. Specially mentioned in the Veterans Education Success study were college degrees in Texas offered by NAU while Buckingham served on its Board of Governors.

To distance herself from NAU’s scandalous connection to charges of predatory marketing, fraud and exploitation of veteran and GI bill education money, Buckingham resigns from its Board of Governors just two months prior to launching her State Senate Campaign. She then purposely omits her involvement with NAU on all of her campaign material.

Buckingham’s resume fraud goes undetected in the March 1st primary despite the fact that 72% of the contributions and loans in her State Senate campaign came from stockholders and/or board members of NAU including a $100,000 contribution from her father-in-law who is also Chairman of NAU.

2016 Runoff- Candidate Resume Fraud Exposed In Runoff

Buckingham’s campaign resume fraud would have likely gone unnoticed in the runoff too, but for a question by a veterans organization this past April and an investigation by the Austin-based Quorum Report.

Since having her NAU Board position exposed, Buckingham has refused to provide an explanation or requested information to the press or with concerned veterans organizations.

Buckingham has also refused to make public how much compensation, stock, and profit she has accumulated over the last ten years from National American University.

According to a May 2, 2016 KVUE-TV investigative report, National American University has only a 25% graduate rate and its students have an average debt of $34,486. To put that in perspective, the graduation rate at the University of Texas is 79 percent and its students have an average debt of $22,165.